A CREWE teacher has been jailed for two years after admitting a sexual relationship with a pupil who is now his wife.

The 49-year-old defendant appeared at Chester Crown Court yesterday for sentence having been convicted of sexual activity with a child.

His young bride, in court with her stepfather and the defend-ant's daughter, wept as the sentence was read out.

The pair breached bail conditions by marrying in Scotland last month after the victim turned 16.

He began giving her extra tuition in September, having been a science teacher at her school for more than 20 years.

Initially they met for two sessions a week but before the relationship was uncovered they met nearly every night.

The situation came to light on December 13 last year when the victim's friends found messages from the defendant on her mobile phone and approached the school's protection officer.

He called the number on the text message and recognised the voice of the defendant who was suspended by the education authorities.

An investigation by police and social services began. The girl's parents were made aware of the allegation and her mobile and that of the teacher were taken away to be examined.

In January the victim told her mother she had a sexual relationship with him and they were going to continue the relationship even if he was in prison.

Both the victim and the defendant had experienced recent family tragedies.

In July last year the defendant had discovered the body of his son after he committed suicide.

Simon Mills, defending, described the case as 'difficult, sensitive and rather unusual'.

He said: 'Less than a year ago this defendant's son committed suicide by hanging and it was the defendant who found him.

'He can properly claim his thought processes had been affected by what happened to him.

'People are learning to live with the situation that has arisen and the victim plainly supports the defendant.'

Mr Mills urged the court to consider a suspended prison sentence, but Judge Roger Dutton said: 'Parents and children are entitled to assume that they are safe in school from the sexual advances of a teacher.

'When an adult teacher falls very far short of that trust it is important that the courts recognise that has happened and punish it appropriately.'

The defendant was banned from working with children for life and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

* The Chronicle has not named the defendant to protect the identity of the girl.